2013 national draft class already making huge impact on-field and could be next super draft
THE class of 2013 includes the likes of Bontempelli, Kelly, Merrett and Cripps — who have all made a huge impact in their short careers. SAM LANDSBERGER RERANKS THE 2013 DRAFT
Draft news
Don't miss out on the headlines from Draft news. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THE 2013 draft class is fast becoming footy’s rich list.
No.1 pick Tom Boyd crossed to the Western Bulldogs on a $7 million seven-year contract after nine games at GWS.
No.2 pick Josh Kelly is considering North Melbourne’s $9 million offer to sign until 2026, although the tea leaves suggest he will instead re-sign at GWS until 2019 or 2020.
No.4 pick Marcus Bontempelli is worth much more than $1 million per season and could become the game’s top earner after his deal expires in 2019.
And Jonathan Brown suggested last year Fremantle should offer No.2 mini-draft pick Jesse Hogan $15 million over 10 years to force him out of Melbourne.
Wedged between Kelly and “The Bont” is No.3 pick Jack Billings, who is out of contract at the end of this season.
The Saints and Billings are yet to sit down and talk turkey. It’s nothing sinister — Billings wants to stay at St Kilda and simply wanted to first turn around his form.
He’s done that. Not many players are capable of kicking five goals from 30 touches, as he did last week.
So, what’s he worth? Billings, 21, is not in the million-dollar bracket. A fortnight ago, when he was yet to convert a set-shot in 2017, it might have been less than half of that.
But after seven goals in two weeks Billings has rediscovered his scoreboard impact, his 2017 goals tally already passing the past two seasons.
Champion Data says he is averaging an elite 22 disposals, 15 uncontested possessions, 1.5 score assists and 7.3 score involvements per match.
It is back to his TAC Cup days, when he was earmarked as a blue-chip early selection.
In fact, if Melbourne hadn’t sent the No.2 pick to the Giants for Dom Tyson and picks used on Christian Salem and Jayden Hunt, the cards may have fallen differently.
The order may well have instead read Boyd (GWS), Billings (Dees), Kelly (Saints) and Bont (Dogs).
One list manager on Friday suspected the Billings camp would want a six-handle salary.
“Probably $600-650,000, that’s what they’d be asking,” he said.
Others were more cautious, preferring the $500-550,000 range.
Losing Billings would be a huge dint to St Kilda’s climb. But there are no alarm bells.
The linking of St Kilda to free agents Dustin Martin and Nat Fyfe highlight the buckets of cash free in the salary cap — remember the salary cap is about to jump 20 per cent in one fell swoop.
The 2013 class could well be the next super draft.
Sift through the names — there are already best-and-fairests, All-Australians, premiership stars and interim captains.
Bontempelli is all of those things — and so much more — and a clear No.1. But below the Herald Sun’s reranked top 15, names continue to sparkle.
West Coast intercept star Tom Barrass, Gold Coast’s Kade Kolodjashnij, North’s Luke McDonald and Lion Daniel McStay are among the unlucky omissions.
That year the Dogs get the gold star for picking Bont. But silver should go to the Bombers, who navigated draft sanctions to snare Zach Merrett and Orazio Fantasia.
Both could be All-Australians this year. Imagine if they had more picks.
CREAM RISES
Sam Landsberger reranks the class of 2013
1. MARCUS BONTEMPELLI Western Bulldogs (No.4 in 2013 national draft)
Almost the complete football CV at 21. Close to No.1 player in the game.
2. JOSH KELLY GWS (No.2)
North Melbourne’s $9 million carrot says everything. Brownlow calls from draft days are back on.
3. ZACH MERRETT Essendon (No.26)
No.1 in AFL for metres gained this season, averaging 599 per game. Leather-poisoning Don the fans love.
4. PATRICK CRIPPS Carlton (No.13)
Contested midfield beast who was a surprisingly early pick at 13 on draft night.
5. JAYDEN HUNT Melbourne (No.57)
Searing pace and symbolic of the new Melbourne — shrewd recruiting polished with diligent development.
6. ORAZIO FANTASIA Essendon (No.55)
Genuine A-grade small forward who has four bags of three goals or more this season (Bombers have won each of those games).
7. MATT CROUCH Adelaide (No.23)
Ball magnet. Averaging 32.5 disposals per game — No.3 in the AFL.
8. TOM BOYD GWS/Western Bulldogs (No.1)
Critics will disagree, but most can only dream of a Norm Smith Medal-worthy performance in a premiership.
9. RORY LOBB GWS (No.29)
No.3 for contested marks among forwards. Kicked three goals in a preliminary final.
10. BEN BROWN North Melbourne (No.47)
Plucked from North’s VFL affiliate with supposedly dodgy ankles. Clean mark and reliable set-shot.
11. JACK BILLINGS St Kilda (No.3)
It’s Billings with a bullet. Has rediscovered the scoreboard impact which made him a junior star.
12. ZAK JONES Sydney (No.15)
Brother of Demons co-captain Nathan is now rated an elite wingman after being unleashed this year.
13. JARMAN IMPEY Port Adelaide (No.21)
Doesn’t get the kudos in Victoria, but averaging 1.4 goals and 3.6 tackles per match.
14. TOBY NANKERVIS Sydney/Richmond (No.35)
Aggressive ruckman who is a force around the ground. Is in the All-Australian conversation.
15. CAMERON McCARTHY GWS/Fremantle (No.14)
Has returned from football wilderness to show glimpses — goalkicking accuracy still askew.
Note: Excludes mini-draft selections Jack Martin (Gold Coast) and Jesse Hogan (Melbourne).
Cats VFL sensation’s brave act, stunning win at draft combine
Ajang Kuol mun took out a test at the state combine, but his later events were even more remarkable pushing through a painful setback. Plus, the Anakie revelation opens up on his playing future.
The injury-hit junior gun Blues might up-end draft for
Carlton is eyeing West Coast’s pick 3 to nab a midfielder considered a complete package despite a year ravaged by injuries. Here’s why recruiters are so excited.